Beyond the Wrench

Simulating a Flat Rate Pay Plan in the Classroom

David Kocher, Automotive Instructor at Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, joins us to explain how he introduced a simulated flat rate pay plan to help students understand how flat rate works early in their careers. David walks us through his background, the ins and outs of the incentive-based system he’s developing for his class, and how students are responding to the experience.Watch the video podcast on YouTubeAbout the EpisodeHost: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay, jayg@wrenchway.comGuest: David Kocher, Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, dkocher@pasco.k12.fl.usLinks & ResourcesGet notified of new episodes --> Join our email listJoin the ASE Connects CommunityASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more:ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & DealersASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free!)Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

Second Generation Shop Ownership

Brad Templin, COO at Scott's U-Save Tires & Auto Repair, discusses his journey into second generation shop ownership and what the transition looked like taking over his family’s business. He shares why he chose not to take the easy path back into the industry, the importance of proper succession planning, and why owners must continue growing themselves to help their business and people reach their full potential.Watch the video podcast on YouTubeAbout the EpisodeHost: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay, jayg@wrenchway.comGuest: Brad Templin, Scott's U-Save Tires & Auto Repair, bradw@scottsusave.comLinks & ResourcesGet notified of new episodes --> Join our email listEpisode Sponsor: Jasper Engines & TransmissionsJoin the ASE Connects CommunityASE Connects brings shops, dealerships, and schools together in one structured network to strengthen the technician pipeline. By making it easier to connect, collaborate, and support students through job shadows, internships, and classroom engagement, ASE Connects helps schools build stronger programs and helps shops develop a more consistent, local source of future technicians. Learn more:ASE Connects Memberships for Shops & DealersASE Connects Memberships for Schools (Free!)Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

Mentorship is the Beginning of Leadership

Dwayne Myers, CEO of Dynamic Automotive, discusses why mentorship is the foundation of leadership and how his team focuses on growing their own technicians through a structured apprenticeship program. From investing in local schools to intentionally developing and nurturing talent, he explains why this approach is key to addressing the technician shortage.Watch the video on YouTube hereAbout the EpisodeHost: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay, jayg@wrenchway.comGuest: Dwayne Myers, Dynamic Automotive, dmyers@dynamicautomd.comLinks & ResourcesGet notified of new episodes --> Join our email listAbout WrenchWay:For Technicians & Students: wrenchway.com/solutions/technicians/For Shops & Dealerships: wrenchway.com/solutions/shops/For Instructors: wrenchway.com/solutions/schools/Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

What 5,500 Technicians Really Think About the Industry

In this recorded webinar, WrenchWay leaders Mark Wilson and Jay Goninen, along with Dave Johnson from ASE, share highlights from the 2026 Voice of Technician Survey. Based on more than 5,500 responses across the automotive and diesel industries, they discuss what technicians value most.Watch the video and follow the slides hereAbout the EpisodeHost: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay, jayg@wrenchway.comGuests: Mark Wilson, WrenchWay, mark@wrenchway.com; Dave Johnson, ASE, djohnson@ase.comLinks & ResourcesGet notified of new episodes --> Join our email listDownload the full 2026 Voice of Technician Survey Report: https://wrenchway.com/resources/2026-voice-of-technician-survey-report/ About WrenchWay:For Technicians & Students: wrenchway.com/solutions/technicians/For Shops & Dealerships: wrenchway.com/solutions/shops/For Instructors: wrenchway.com/solutions/schools/Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok

Training & Developing Young Technicians

Cindy Barlow, Director of Industry Relations at WyoTech, joins us to talk about how, as an industry, we’ve neglected training young and entry-level technicians. In this episode, she discusses how shops can better support and develop young talent, why early exposure helps students decide if the industry is the right fit, and how fundamentals, soft skills, and early training are essential to improving retention.Check out the full video version of the podcast on YouTube!About the EpisodeHost: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay, jayg@wrenchway.comGuest: Cindy Barlow, WyoTech, cbarlow@wyotech.eduLinks & ResourcesGet notified of new episodes --> Join our email listAbout WrenchWay:For Technicians & Students: wrenchway.com/solutions/technicians/For Shops & Dealerships: wrenchway.com/solutions/shops/For Instructors: wrenchway.com/solutions/schools/Connect with us on social: Facebook Instagram X LinkedIn YouTube TikTok